Performance Yoga – 10.6.14 (Getting Ready for the Race)

Performance Yoga – 10.6.14 (Getting Ready for the Race)

The moments before the big race (Mile walk, 5K, 13.1 Half Marathon, 26.2 Marathon, 50-mile bike ride, etc.) are crucial. The way we treat our bodies in the moments before the event definitely have an affect on our performance. What about the mind though?

I never spent time prior to a race or bike ride separated and contemplating the upcoming event. I would take a mental recording of the event and beat myself up over a mistake that would cost me time. Where I would become even more annoyed at myself was that I would repeat the same mistake. I’d attack a hill rather than find my cadence. I started asking myself “why am I getting my butt handed to me on these hills?” I never took a moment to reflect. I had no control.

When we look at our performance in the frame of a mirror, we allow for the mind and body to connect. There is strength in producing a mental image that is appropriate and open to viewing the mistake. Control comes from letting go and viewing our performance without judgment. I know you want to crush a PR in your next race or event, but have you taken a moment to visualize this? Use the script below and see what happens :).

Key ComponentControllability – Make the image do what you want it to do. Many athletes have difficulty controlling their images, often repeating the same mistake over and over, or failing to conjure up the appropriate image. Learn how to program your own “internal computer” so you are confident and focused on those things you want to occur.

Allow your mind to wander off to the meeting…. See the track… the people… see the other runners… the officials… the time keepers…
None of that is important… none of that bothers you…
Because you are there to win….
And as you get onto that track… you start warming up….
and inside you are feeling loose… and relaxed…
And everything is prepared… and you are fit and strong…. and all that training …. all that preparation… is coming back to you … you feel totally composed…. completely at ease… completely relaxed… and ready for what is to come.